HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Sandwich Farm has all the makings of a business you can feel good about supporting. It’s locally owned. It’s in a great location at Park Place Plaza on Cleveland Avenue, adding another dining option to downtown Huntsville. It takes a “fresh from the farm” approach to food, serving produce from sustainable farms (local when possible) and meat that hasn’t been treated with hormones or antibiotics.

And the food is good – really good.

Sandwich Farm specializes in – you guessed it – sandwiches, with nine options, all of which can be served over fresh greens if you prefer to skip the bread. Other than that, there are a few sides to choose from and dessert. The sandwiches, presented on the menu in a clever, visual form that illustrates each ingredient, include meatloaf, bacon, braised pork, spicy chicken, duck, smoked fish, veggie, smoked turkey and roast beef. There is even a blueberry pie dessert sandwich.

View full sizeDuck over greens includes duck confit, Brie and braised figs served on a bed of mixed greens tossed with homemade vinaigrette. (The Huntsville Times/Bob Gathany)

I sampled the roast beef ($7.75), which is served on a baguette with horseradish mayo, tomatoes, red onions, roast beef, sharp cheddar and lettuce. The bread was fresh and a manageable size. There was just the right amount of horseradish flavor (if you don’t like spicy food, it won’t be too much) and the meat was delicious. It’s not the cold-cut meat you find served at a typical sandwich shop. This roast beef looks like it was actually sliced fresh from the meat – and it tasted that way, too. A friend ordered the bacon sandwich ($8), served on a bun with pickled pepper mayo, tomatoes, fried mozzarella, bacon and lettuce. It’s hard to go wrong with a bacon sandwich, but this one went to the next level with the medallion of fried mozzarella.

I enjoyed my sandwich so much I returned for lunch the next day, this time opting for greens instead of bread. The veggie ($6.50), with goat cheese, tomato spread, eggplant, zucchini, squash, basil and provolone picante over greens was so flavorful I didn’t even need to use the vinaigrette that came with it.

Sides include marinated chickpeas, pasta salad, potato salad, slaw and sweet potato fries. The marinated chickpeas are close to perfect.

If you’re looking for a fresh take on the traditional sandwich (or salad), don’t wait any longer to visit Sandwich Farm. You just might find yourself returning the next day for seconds.